Mystic History

1989/1990	The Mystic Chorale (named for the Mystic River), led by founder Nick Page, began with a small group of singers performing the Misa Luba at Earthwatch in Cambridge, MA accompanied by African drumming. The packed house stayed long after the singing ended to dance and celebrate! Spring 1990 was the first Annual Spring Gospel Jubilee- a tradition that has continued each year since. In the fall of 1990, the Mystic performed music from Eastern Europe- the first of many fall concerts exploring music from different cultures that over the years has included Latin American, Celtic, Israeli, South African, Eastern European, and American music.
Spring 1990 - Spring 1999	Nick Page continued to lead the Mystic Chorale in 2 concert seasons a year- exploring different themes each fall with a chorus of approximately 100-200 singers. Almost 200 singers joined each spring for the annual Gospel Jubilee celebrating Gospel from both the African American and White Gospel traditions-mixed in with music by Duke Ellington, and at least one song by Dr.Ysaye Maria Barnwell who was Nick's inspiration for the Power Sing/Mystic Chorale work that had become such a large part of his life.
Summer 1999	Mystic Chorale incorporated, a board of directors was elected, and Nick Page was named Founder and Artistic Director.
Fall 1999	Dr Phillip Woods was engaged to guest direct the Mystic Chorale's Gospel Season. Over 250 singers were on stage at Carey Memorial Hall in Lexington, MA in November 1999, with over 1200 people in the audience for "What A Time"- And that it was!!
Winter 2000	The Mystic's first touring ensemble performed at various venues throughout greater Boston.
Spring 2000	The Mystic celebrated its 10th Anniversary with a special concert at Sanders Theatre, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA. With Nick Page leading and guests Phillip Woods and Linda Brown-San Martin, the 250+ choraleers began the concert with "Lift Every Voice and Sing," the African American National Anthem, to a sold out house.
Spring 2000	The Mystic Outreach Fund was started honoring the 10th anniversary of the Chorale and the work that Nick Page had done with children in the greater Boston schools. The fund has been used to provide programs to teachers to help them learn new and creative ways to teach singing to kids. Funds have also been used for community outreach events, such as fundraising concerts where the Mystic has been invited to perform and has subsidized the 2004 Roxbury, MA Boys & Girls Club Choir.
Fall 2000	The First Mystic Workshop- a 3-day event featuring Dr. Ysaye Maria Barnwell of Sweet Honey in the Rock. The Mystic's own Louise Grasmere led the 2001 workshop, and civil rights activist Jane Sapp led the workshop in the fall of 2002.
Winter 2001	First of 3 Mystic Winter Gospel seasons led by guest director Linda Brown-San Martin.
Summer 2002	Mystic Chorale's first International singing tour- 50 singers led by Nick Page traveled and sang with civic groups and choirs throughout the Black Forest region of Germany and Switzerland- learning much about the people as they went. During the summer of 2003, 30+ singers traveled to Quebec City and Northern Vermont, singing with an excellent chorus, Les Rhapsodes, in Quebec City and serenading the Page Family at their home in northern Vermont! Nick led another 50 singers to Costa Rica in July 2004 -- and this touring chorale had good fortune to be accompanied by Jonathan Singleton on piano
Fall 2003	First Mystic Fall Getaway weekend at Camp Bournedale in Plymouth, MA. Over 100 people joined Larry Gordon and Patty Cuyler of Village Harmony, a community signing organization, as we explored Balkan and shape note music which has since become a staple in our repertoire.
Winter 2003	Our 3rd Mystic Gospel season led by Linda Brown-San Martin featured contemporary songs like “Order My Steps” and a group of children singing Linda’s own “Train Up a Child”.
Spring 2004	“Coming Together with the Silver Leaf Gospel Singers”-the Chorale returned to Sanders Theatre and celebrated the Silver Leaf, a 7 member a capella Gospel group established 50 years ago in Boston.
Summer 2004	The Singing Tour group of 48 choraleers sang with choral groups in Costa Rica while witnessing a volcanic eruption, hiking through the rain forest and swimming in the Pacific Ocean.